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Yolo  County  is  the  home  of  some  of  the  world's  greatest  dairy  cows.     In  the 
herd  shown  here  are  three  record-breakers.     In  the  foreground  is  Tilly  Alcartra,      |  .. 

with  a.  vear's  milk  production  of  30,452.6  pounds  ^i. 


g 


Yolo  Count)^ 

California 


Br  ARTHUR  DUNN 


ISSUED  BY 

SUNSET  MAGAZINE  HOMESEEKERS'  BUREAU 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  CALIFORNIA 

FOR  THE  YOLO  COUNTY,  CALIFORNIA,  EXPOSITION  COMMISSION 

BY  ORDER  OF  THE  YOLO  COUNTY  BOARD  OF  SUPERVISORS 


■Pi^    OS 


Y5  T^9 

Yolo  County,  California 


|0L0  COUNTY,  California,  possessing  wondrous  wealth  in  the 
fertility  of  its  soil,  glorious  climate  and  advantageous  location, 
extends  an  invitation  to  all  persons  weary  of  drudgery  and  dreary 
days;  who  are  tired  of  the  struggle  with  storms  and  snow;  who 
are  cruelly  cooped  up  in  cities;  who  seek  success;  who,  having 
dreamed  of  a  home,  want  more  than  visionary  happiness ;  who  are  patriotic 
and  progressive;  who  love  peace  and  desire  plenty  and  prosperity.  To  such 
as  these  Yolo  County  holds  forth  a  promise  that  may  be  fulfilled  in  rich 
rewards. 

Yolo  County  is  not  being  boomed.  There  is  no  inflated  bubble  to  burst. 
The  certain  and  steady  growth  of  the  county  in  recent  years  is  due  solely 
to  its  marvelous  attractiveness,  and  the  only  reason  that  it  is  not  more 
populous  is  because  large  tracts  of  land  had  been  held  for  half  a  century  in 
comparatively  few  ownerships. 

Surely  soil  could  not  be  more  productive  than  indicated  by  the  folloAving 
excerpt  taken  from  a  report  issued  by  the  United  States  Department  of 
Agriculture : 

"It  is  ideal  grain,  alfalfa  and  fruit  land.  You  may  find  growing  on  this 
soil  wheat,  corn,  barley,  oats,  alfalfa,  all  the  vegetables  of  a  temperate  and 
subtropical  climate,  apples,  apricots,  nectarines,  plums,  pears,  prunes, 
oranges,  lemons,  limes,  figs,  pomegranates,  grapes  (table,  wine  and  raisin), 
almonds,  olives,  English  walnuts,  berries  of  all  kinds  and  melons." 

And  since  climate  is  an  essential  asset — in  fact,  the  working  capital  of 
the  farmer — it  is  well  to  cite  at  the  outset  the  same  government  authority, 
CO  as  follows : 

S         "The  climatic  conditions  in  general  are  favorable  to  the  production  of 
'^  grain  and  other  crops,   the   early  ripening  and  coloring   of  fruits   and   the 
oc  open-air  curing  of  dried  fruits.     The  dry  air  of  the  summer  and  late  spring 
cc  makes  the  region  comparatively  free  from  certain  insect  and  fungus  troubles 
Zj  affecting  the  fruit  and  trees  in  regions  of  great  humidity." 
^         So  in  the  very  beginning  Yolo  County  has  its  story  lialf  told  by  an   in- 
^  disputable  authority,  but  it  is  the  purpose  of  this  ])ooklet  to  give  publicity 
§  to  vital  details,  to  accentuate  the  natural  advantages  of  th(^  county,  find   to 
impress  upon  the  interested  reader  that  here  there  are  numifold  oi)por1  uni- 
ties that  one  cannot  afford  to  overlook.     Above  all  else  the  absolute  truth 
is  told  from  the  opening  sentence  to  the  closing  period.     Indeed,  it  is  un- 
necessary  to   draw   any   fanciful   picture   of  the   resources   of   Yolo,    for   the 
productivity   of  its  soil  is  so  marvelous   that   facts,   honestly   related,   some- 
times seem  like  the  A'aporings  of  an  enthusiast. 

Yolo  County  is  anxious  to  reach  the  homeseeker,  the  man  who  wants  to 
settle  upon  a  twenty-  or  forty-acre  tract  of  land  and  enjoy  the  fruits  of  liis 
labor.  There  is  need  for  such  persons  in  this  county,  and  when  it  is  under- 
stood that  ninety  persons  or  corporations  own  sixty-five  per  cent,  of  all  the 
lands  in  Yolo  County  and  that  the  average  farm  acreage  is  365  acres,  out; 
can  realize  readily  that  there  is  ample  room  for  thousands  of  families. 

In  addition  to  its  matchless  soil  and  ideal  climate  Yolo  County  has  all 
the  conveniences  of  modern  civilization — railroads,  water  transportation, 
electric  light  and  power,  excellent  educational  facilities,  including  the  States 
University  Agricultural  College,  telephone,  telegraph,  complete  system  of 
highways,  rural  mail  delivery  system,  free  i)ublic  library  and  everything 
required  for  comfort  and  convenience  by  a  progressive  people. 


30' 


3 


SOUVENIR    ^(|9I'7)?    EDITION 


AN  AMAZIXG  VARIETY  OF  PRODUCTS  IS   GROWN  IN  THE  FERTILE  SOIL  THROUGHOUT  THE  ENTIRE  COUNTY 


General  Location 

Yolo  County  is  situated  in  the  very  heart  of  the  Sacramento  Valley  and 
therefore  is  almost  in  the  center  of  California.  The  Sacramento  River,  the 
fifth  largest  river  in  the  United  States,  separates  the  county  from  Sacra- 
mento, the  capital  city  of  the  State. 

The  landed  area  of  Yolo  County  is  1,014  square  miles,  and  the  population 
approximates  16,000.  Within  the  borders  of  this  county  is  the  largest  con- 
tiguous body  of  unbroken  fertile  land  in  the  State.  The  southern  boundary 
of  the  county  is  Putah  Creek,  the  Coast  Range  mountains  are  on  the  west, 
Colusa  County  is  on  the  north  and  the  Sacramento  River  marks  the 
boundary  of  the  east.  The  county-seat  of  Yolo,  Woodland,  is  twenty  miles 
distant  from  Sacramento  and  eighty-six  miles  from  San  Francisco. 

The  river  is  one  of  the  county's  natural  advantages.  This  body  of  water 
changes  its  course  from  a  southerly  to  a  westerly  course  on  its  way  to  the 
Pacific,  and  washes  Yolo  shores  for  a  distance  of  ninety  miles.  Rich  sedi- 
mentary deposits  have  formed  the  delta  lands  along  the  river.  About 
seventy-five  per  cent,  of  the  county  consists  of  level  land,  the  balance  being 
gently  sloping  hills  and  mountains. 

Soil  Conditions 

The  soil  of  Yolo  County  can  not  be  excelled.  While  it  may  not  all  be 
classified  alike,  it  is  all  rich  in  the  elements  required  for  plant  growth.  On 
a  great  portion  of  the  land  is  a  sedimentary  deposit,  left  there  in  ages  agone 
by  Putah  and  Cache  creeks  and  the  Sacramento  River.  Speaking  of  this 
soil,  Mr.  J.  M.  Wilson,  a  government  exi)ert,  after  an  examination  of  the 
soil  reported  : 

"There  is  no  finer  agricultural  land  than  this  sedimentary  deposit.  It  is 
mellow,  warm  and  fertile  with  good  drainage,  yet  holding  a  reserve  of 
moisture  to  resist  drought." 


SOUVENIR 


GOLDEN  GRAIN  HIGHER  THAN  A  MAN'S  HEAD  IS  ANOTHER  PROOF  OF  THE  FERTILITY  OF  THE  SOIL  IN  YOLO 

Not  only  is  this  soil  marvelously  rich,  but  in  depth  it  can  not  be  surpassed 
by  any  place  in  California.  For  half  a  century  grains  have  been  grown  on 
these  lands,  and  they  will  produce  anything  that  may  be  grown  in  any  section 
of  the  State,  and  nearly  everything  that  can  be  produced  in  any  part  of  the 
United  States.  Except  where  intensively  farmed,  at  present  a  large  portion  of  the 
landed  area  of  Yolo  is  almost  virgin  soil  and  there  is  no  need  of  fertiliza- 
tion to  insure  phenomenal  yield  of  all  kinds  of  crops. 

Perhaps  a  better  idea  of  the  fertility  of  the  soil  may  be  gleaned  from  a 
statement  made  by  Mr.  Wilson,  the  government  exi:)ert  quoted  in  a  preced- 
ing paragraph,  wiio  said : 

"On  a  lot  in  the  town  of  Woodland,  eighty  feet  front  by  a  depth  of  145 
feet,  one-seventh  of  an  acre,  the  following  trees,  plants,  vines  and  flowers 
were  found  in  full  bearing :  twelve  navel  orange,  one  lemon,  one  cherry, 
three  apple,  two  fig,  two  olive,  two  apricot,  four  almond  and  two  plum  trees, 
fifty-eight  grape  vines  (nine  varieties),  plots  of  dewberries,  raspl)erries  and 
logan])erries,  fifty  varieties  of  rose  bushes,  a  small  vegetable  garden  of 
onions,  tomatoes,  lettuce,  mint,  sage,  parsley,  and  beds  of  bulbous  and  other 
flowering  plants." 

There  are  innumerable  instances  where  flourish,  side  by  side,  the  choicest 
products  of  the  temperate  zone  and  the  sub-tropics;  and  the  apple,  peach, 
pear,  plum,  apricot,  orange,  lemon,  lime  and  fig. 

For  years  thousands  of  acres  have  been  sown  to  grain  l)y  the  farmers  of 
Yolo  County.  Like  other  sections  of  California  wheat  was  king  in  this 
county,  and  every  farmer  seemed  to  want  to  rival  his  iieiglibor  in  the  extent 
of  the  territory  over  which  lie  ruled.  Mile  after  mik;  came  under  one 
ownership.  Golden  grain  I)r'()Ught  minted  money  to  the  grower.  Tlu'  i)ers()n 
advocating  and  practicing  intensive  fanning  was  looked  upon  contemptuously. 
Consequently  the  wonderfully  rich  lands  of  Yolo  were  misused  for  decades 
and  the  county's  growth  was  retarded  while  other  and  less  favored  spots  in 


SOUVENIR    ^flPI*?)?    EDITION 


^^^ 


the  State  sprang  up  into  new  and  vigorous  life.  They  had  the  advantage  of 
numbers  and  the  development  that  comes  with  well  directed  ambition. 

Years  ago  foreign  governments  and  peoples  learned  that  small  acreage 
properly  and  scientifically  cultivated  was  more  profitable  to  the  individual 
and  more  desirable  for  the  State  than  large  tracts ;  but  it  took  the  United 
States  government  a  long  time  to  realize  the  truth.  The  fact  is  that  this 
government  had  encouraged  large  land  holdings,  but  now,  especially  in  the 
irrigation  projects  under  its  direction,  the  advice  is  given  to  all  farmers  who 
would  enjoy  life  and  the  good  things  of  the  soil  to  assume  the  control  of 
only  as  much  land  as  they  may  manage  individually.  So  it  was  in  Yolo 
County,  and  even  today  there  are  many  ranches  containing  thousands  of 
acres  controlled  by  a  few.  Eventually  these  must  pass  on  to  the  many  to 
the  greater  enrichment  and  development  of  the  community. 

It  is  the  large  land  holding  that  has  prevented  the  increase  of  population 
warranted  by  the  character  of  the  soil  and  the  natural  advantages  enjoyed 
by  Yolo  County.  Indeed,  population  is  the  only  "stunted  growth"  that  can 
be  found  within  the  borders  of  the  county.  But  now,  persuaded  by  the 
overwhelming  proofs  offered  by  men  of  science  and  by  communities  of 
undoubted  success,  owners  of  vast  tracts  of  land  are  throwing  them  open  to 
the  public,  offering  them  for  sale  at  prices  that  are  reasonable  and  under 
conditions  that  are  generous. 

Since  it  is  evident  that  the  land  is  available  for  the  homeseeker  it  is  well 
to  consider  the  other  attractions  of  Yolo. 

Ideal  Climate 

Unless  the  climate  agrees  with  plant  life  the  richest  soil  is  of  little 
practical  value.  Fruit  trees  may  grow  in  a  freezing  climate,  but  will  not 
bear  fruit.  Soil  may  be  fit  for  grain  and  alfalfa  but  blighting  blasts  may 
destroy  the  product.  So  the  farmer  must  consider  well  all  the  climatic 
conditions  that  surround  a  place  in  which  he  contemplates  locating. 

The  climate  of  Yolo  cannot  be  excelled  for  uniformity  and  healthfulness. 
Every  month  in  the  year  some  kind  of  crop  ripens  in  the  open,  and  there  is 
absolutely  no  time  in  the  year  when  the  growth  of  plant  life  is  suspended 
or  checked  entirely.  There  is  no  winter,  but  there  is  a  rainy  season,  beginning 
in  November  and  lasting  until  February.  There  is  ninety-seven  per  cent, 
sunshine  throughout  Septeml)er. 

According  to  the  thermometer  it  gets  hot  in  Yolo,  but  the  summer  heat 
is  dry  and  not  at  all  depressing.  Sunstrokes  are  unknown,  as  they  are 
generally  throughout  California.  During  the  warmest  periods  the  nights  are 
cool.  Refreshing  breezes  are  wafted  from  the  San  Francisco  Bay  and  the 
Pacific  Ocean,  cooling  the  atmosphere.  Here  are  as  many  hours  in  the  day 
and  as  many  days  in  the  year  during  which  persons  may  enjoy  outdoor  life 
as  any  place  in  the  world. 

Plant  life  is  putting  forth  vigorous  growth,  flowers  are  blooming  and 
orchardists  are  picking  and  shipping  deciduous  fruits  in  a  season  when  tlio 
weather  is  bleak  and  blizzardy  in  the  East. 

Throughout  the  harvest  season  in  Yolo  there  is  a  cloudless  sky.  The 
farmer  experiences  not  the  slightest  fear  that  his  grain  may  be  injured 
before  the  harvester  gathers  it.  The  warmth  and  light  develop  rich  juices 
and  exquisite  coloring  of  flower  and  fruit  and  a  wealth  of  bloom  and  perfume 
unknown  in  the  East.  The  curing  of  forage  is  unattended  by  the  uncertainty 
and  anxiety  experienced  in  ])laees  wliere  rain  may  come  at  any  seaso?!. 
Consequently  from  five  to  seven  cuttings  of  alfalfa  are  assured  every  year. 

Another  advantage  in  the  sunny  sky  of  Yolo  is  in  the  preparation  of 
dried  fruits.  California  dried  fruits — peaches  and  prunes,  apricots,  nectar- 
ines and  figs — for  which  the  State  is  noted  throughout  the  world,  are  the 
results  of  our  glorious  sunlight. 


SOUVENIR    :?II9I7]?    EDITION 


YOLO  COUNTY  HAS  A  COMBINATION  OF  RAIL  AND  RI\ER  TRAXSPORTATION  FACILITIES  RARELY  EQUALLED 

BY  ANY  COMMUNITY 

The  average  summer  temperature  of  Yolo  is  seventy-seven  and  seven- 
tenths  degrees ;  the  average  winter  temperature  is  forty-eight  and  three- 
tenths  degrees;  average  mean  temperature,  sixty-two  and  eight-tenths 
degrees. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  Yolo  is  a  county  of  perpetual  paradise,  where 
every  plant  known  to  floriculture  flourishes  in  riotous  profusion  throughout 
the  year,  and  roses,  lilies,  violets  and  carnations  continue  in  flagrant  bloom 
during  the  months  of  December,  January  and  February. 

When  folk  in  the  East  are  shoveling  real  snow  the  trees  are  covered  with 
snow-white  blossoms  in  Yolo!  And  that  is  the  only  sign  of  "snow"  that 
ever  appears  in  this  county. 

Transportation  Facilities 

An  oasis  in  the  desert  is  of  little  value.  It  may  be  a  garden  spot  in 
which  nature  works  her  many  miracles,  but  unless  those  wonderful  crops 
may  be  carried  quickly  to  market  by  fast  flying  railroad  trains  they  are 
worthless.  Therefore  one  must  consider  transportation  facilities  as  of  vital 
importance  to  any  community. 

In  this  respect  Yolo  County  cannot  be  beaten.  The  Southern  Pacific 
Company  operates  two  of  its  main  lines  through  this  county — the  trans- 
continental line  over  the  Sierras  to  the  East  and  the  main  line  running  to 
Oregon,  via  the  beautiful  Shasta  Route.  Then  there  are  two  electric  rail- 
ways now  traversing  the  county,  and  within  a  very  short  time  it  is  expected 
that  two  others  will  operate  here.  The  Southern  Pacific  also  has  branch 
lines  in  the  county. 

Railroads  are  ever  watchful  of  transportation  opportunities.  When  a 
community  begins  to  move  ahead  usually  the  railroad  keeps  apace  with  it. 
Freight  tonnage  is  not  to  be  overlooked.     It  must  be  significant  that  all  new 


SOUVENIR    fflQI'?)?    EDITION 


RICE,  A  GRAIN  RECENTLY  TRIED  OUT  IN  THE  SACRAMENTO  VALLEY,  HAS  FAR  EXCEEDED 
EXPECTATIONS.      YOLO  RICE  IS  OF   SUPERIOR  QUALITY 


electric  lines  built  in  the  Sacramento  Valley  are  either  operating  in  Yolo 
County  or  are  headed  this  way. 

Another  decided  advantage  in  this  regard  is  the  Sacramento  River,  for 
ninety  miles  skirting  the  shores  of  Yolo.  This  stream  is  always  open  to 
navigation,  and  palatial  steamers  carry  passengers  and  freight  back  and 
forth  from  San  Francisco  and  Bay  sections  to  Sacramento,  the  capital  of 
the  State.  Yolo  residents  derive  a  direct  benetit  from  this  traffic  for  they 
may  use  these  steamers  for  freighting  or  for  other  purposes. 

With  the  great  populous  section  of  the  West  only  eighty-six  miles  away 
and  with  the  very  best  and  swiftest  means  of  transportation  available,  Yolo 
farmers  readily  ship  their  produce  to  the  markets  paying  the  highest  price. 

Schools 

From  an  educational  standpoint,  Yolo  ranks  among  the  foremost  counties 
of  California.  The  county  is  divided  into  forty-eight  elementary  and  three 
high  school  districts.  There  are  more  than  2,000  pupils  attending  the  ele- 
mentary schools  and  nearly  400  are  enrolled  in  the  high  schools. 

The  University  of  California,  through  the  Department  of  Agriculture, 
has  undertaken  to  estal)lish  a  model  district  school  after  which  otlier  schools 
may  pattern.  This  work  is  being  done  in  Fairfield  school  district,  wliicli  is 
near  Davis.  A  modern  luiilding  has  been  erected,  and  the  grounds  have 
been  beautified  by  the  planting  of  trees  and  shrubs  by  the  pupils  under  the 
direction  of  State  experts. 

One  of  the  finest  high  schools  in  northern  California  is  situated  at  Wood- 
land. The  site  covers  an  area  of  ten  acres  in  two  divisions,  oiu>  of  four 
acres  and  the  other  of  six  acres.  A  building  for  academic  purposes  has 
been  erected  on  the  four-acre  tract,  and  is  of  steel  frame  and  reinf(u-ced 
concrete.    The  cost  with  equipment  was  $100,000.     It  is  a  fire-proof,  two-story 


SOUVENIR 


^JC?7W 


t-tijr^^^i^s^illll^ 


THE   STATE   UNIVERSITY  EXPERIMENTAL  FARM  AT  DA\aS   OFFERS   ADVANTAGES   FOR  THE   CLOSE   RANGE 
STUDY   OF  AGRICULTURAL  AND  HORTICULTURAL  PROBLEMS 


10 


building  with  a  finished  basement.  The  building  covers  an  area  of  15,000 
square  feet,  and  has  an  assembly  room  with  a  seating  capacity  of  600.  Of 
the  rooms,  all  of  which  are  well  lighted,  ventilated  and  heated,  three  are  used 
by  the  commercial  department,  seven  by  the  household  economics  department, 
among  them  being  a  model  kitchen,  bedroom,  dining  room  and  laundry. 
There  are  four  science  laboratories. 

A  building  devoted  to  manual  arts  has  been  erected  on  the  six-acre  plot. 
This  is  of  two  stories  and  contains  a  floor  area  of  over  5,000  square  feet.  On 
tlie  first  floor  four  rooms  are  devoted  to  wood  and  metal  work  and  forging. 
The  lockers  and  showers  for  the  gymnasium  are  on  this  floor.  The  gymnasium 
occupies  the  upper  floor.    There  are  cloak  rooms,  a  gallery  and  a  kitchen. 

Tennis  and  basketball  courts  occupy  the  main  grounds,  where  there  are 
also  an  athletic  track  and  enclosed  baseball  grounds. 

Comity  Library 

A  Free  County  Library  movement,  now  authorized  by  law  in  California,  was 
initiated  in  Yolo  County  in  1905,  and  nearly  all  of  the  county  school  districts 
have  joined  the  County  Library.  There  are  about  10,000  books  in  the 
County  Library,  and  the  circulation  during  the  current  year  approximated 
50,000.  Books  from  the  State  library  at  Sacramento  are  available  for  use 
on  request.    Magazines  of  all  kinds  may  be  taken  out  for  home  reading. 

University  Farm 

If  it  were  necessary  to  still  advance  arguments  as  to  the  desirability  of 
Yolo  County  for  farming  purposes,  the  fact  that  the  University  of  California 
established  one  of  the  largest  and  best  farms  possessed  by  any  college  of 
agriculture  in  the  world  at  Davis,  Yolo  County,  should  be  final.  The  entire 
area  of  780  acres  is  of  Putah  Creek  soil  far-famed  for  its  depth  and  rich- 
ness. This  site  was  selected  in  competition  with  more  than  one  hundred 
other  communities  and  only  after  most  exhaustive  examinations.  That  no 
mistake  was  made  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  recent  investigations  have 
shown  that  the  soil  is  of  similar  character  to  a  depth  of  fourteen  to  twenty 
feet,  at  which  point  water  is  found.  Roots  of  barley  and  other  small  grains 
and  plants  penetrate  to  the  same  distance. 

The  chief  business  of  such  an  institution  is  instruction  and  experimenta- 
tion. Provision  is  made  for  three  lines — students  who  go  from  the  main 
University  of  California  at  Berkeley  for  one  term  out  of  their  four-year 
course,  students  in  the  Farm  School  which  regularly  is  a  three-year  course, 
and  short-course  students  who  are  provided  with  exceptional  facilities  for 
brief  periods  during  October  and  November  of  each  year.  Any  person  over 
seventeen  years  of  age  is  admitted  to  the  short  courses  Avithout  examination. 
The  fees  are  nominal,  being  on  a  basis  of  one  dollar  a  week. 

Experimentation  looking  to  the  improvement  of  California  agriculture 
occupies  a  large  place  and  is  being  conducted  in  irrigation  to  determine  the 
duty  of  water  for  alfalfa  and  other  crops ;  in  grain  growing  to  increase  the 
yield  and  quality  of  wheat,  barley  and  oats,  and  to  determine  practicable 
methods  of  improving  and  conserving  soil  fertility;  in  fruit  growing  to 
study  varieties  and  methods  of  culture  and  control  of  various  diseases;  in 
forage  crops  to  study  new  and  promising  varieties  of  alfalfa,  corn,  sorghum 
and  legumes  for  green  manuring;  in  live  stock  to  gain  further  knowledge  of 
how  to  combat  tuberculosis  and  otlier  diseases;  in  poultry  to  determine  the 
best  types  of  houses  for  ('alifornia  and  study  methods  of  feeding  and  breed- 
ing for  best  laying  strains;  in  dairying  to  improve  quality  of  butter  and 
secure  larger  returns  to  dairymen. 


SOUVENIR    5{|9I'5)5    EDITION 


11 


100,000  ACRES  ARE  IRRIGATED  FROil  THE  lilPOUXDED  WATERS  OF  CACHE  CREEK.      A  SPLENDID  SYSTEM 

OF   CAA^AXS  DISTRIBUTES   THE  SUPPLY 


Irrigation 

This  is  the  age  of  irrigation.  For  years  it  had  been  the  practice  of 
successful  farmers  to  rely  entirely  upon  the  seasonal  rainfall,  which  was 
regarded  as  ample  for  grains,  horticulture,  and  all  branches  of  agriculture, 
and  few  failures  were  ever  recorded.  But  long  since  it  was  determined  that 
both  yield  and  quality  of  fruits  of  all  kinds  are  improved  manyfold  with 
the  aid  of  irrigation.  Besides,  the  irrigating  ditch  full  of  water  or  the  well 
harnessed  with  electricity  are  absolute  safeguards  against  possible  drought, 
and  they  also  give  assurance  of  the  proper  amount  of  moisture  at  the  exact 
time  it  is  required. 

Government  engineers  unhesitatingly  have  declared  that  the  topographical 
and  hydrographical  conditions  in  Yolo  County  are  such  that  irrigation  by 
means  of  a  canal  system  can  be  developed  and  maintained  here  better  than 
anywhere  on  the  Pacific  Coast.  The  Yolo  County  AVater  and  Power  Company 
system  now  covers  approximately  100,000  acres,  and  is  capable  of  being 
developed  to  double  its  present  capacity.  This  company  takes  its  supply 
from  Cache  Creek,  in  Capay  Valley,  and  distributes  it  by  means  of  first-class 
canals.     There  is  always  suf^cient  water  when  it  is  required. 

The  reclamation  of  overflowed  lands  is  another  feature  of  development 
that  is  under  way  in  Yolo  County.  AVithin  a  very  short  time  fully  100,000 
acres  of  this  very  fertile  land  will  be  available,  and  the  diversity  of  crops 
that  may  be  grown  on  this  soil  will  astonish  a  person  not  familiar  with  this 
rich  land. 

Throughout  the  county  there  has  been  no  difficulty  in  tapping  an  inex- 
haustible subterranean  water  supply,  and,  with  the  certainty  of  electric 
power  for  pumping  purposes  farmers  everywhere  are  availing  themselves  of 
this  inexpensive  method  of  irrigation.  One  company,  which  had  planted 
sugar  beets,  requiring  a  large  amount  of  water,  irrigated  2,000  acres  from 

12 


WF^i^ 


J^ 


IRRIGATING   A    YOUNG   VINEYARD.      THERE    IS    NO    BETTER   MEANS    KNOWN   OF   INSURING  TILS   GROWTH 

OF  PLANT    LIFE 


one  plant  alone.  Farmers  on  adjoining  tracts  experienced  no  difficulty  in 
obtaining  all  the  water  needed  for  their  crops,  notwithstanding  that  the 
larger  plant  was  pumping  apparently  from  the  same  underground  strata. 

This  clearly  indicates  that  it  is  possible  for  a  farmer  to  grow  alfalfa  in 
a  section  not  now  served  by  a  canal  system,  and  that  he  may  safely  place 
absolute  reliance  upon  this  method  of  irrigation  for  all  purposes.  There 
never  need  be  fear  of  drought. 

An  idea  of  the  rapid  development  of  irrigation  may  be  gleaned  from  a 
statement  made  by  the  Pacitic  Gas  &  Electric  Company,  which  is  the 
source  of  the  electric  energy  used  throughout  Yolo  County.  This  company 
had  five  horse-power  used  for  irrigating  purposes  in  the  city  limits  of 
Woodland.  That  was  in  1911,  and  since  that  time  the  distributing  lines  have 
been  extended  until  today  there  is  a  grand  total  of  over  fifty  miles  of  11,000 
volts  pole  line  and  more  than  2,500  horsepower  have  been  harnessed  by  farmers 
to  centrifugal  pumps  in  units  varying  from  five  to  150  horsepower  for  the  pur- 
pose of  irrigating  alfalfa,  sugar  beets,  grain,  corn,  orchards  and  vineyards. 

Reclamation 

Just  as  the  modern  farmer  has  learned  to  store  up  the  mountain  waters  for 
irrigation  work  in  summer,  he  has  also  learned  to  reclaim  for  his  use  thousaiuls 
of  acres  of  overflow  land  which  were  formerly  usi'less  except  for  occasional 
pasturage.  Yolo  County  contains  approxinuitely  200,000  acres  of  such  land. 
Of  this  about  70.000  acres  have  already  been  reclaimed;  another  IJO.OOO  are 
under  way;  6,000  are  given  over  to  the  by-pass  for  the  Sacramento  Kivei-.  h'aving 
about  40,000  not  yet  undertaken.  This  land  is  part  of  a  general  i)l;m  involving 
over  $30,000,000,  of  which  one-third  is  for  river  improvement  and  Iwo-t birds  for 
levee  construction.  It  is  assured  that  the  Federal  Government  will  bear  one-half 
the  river  improvement  work  or  about  one-sixth  of  the  entire  cost. 


13 


SOUVENIR    5(l9l'7)?    EDITION 


14 


PERMANENCY  IS  A  PEATURE  OF  THE  IRIUGATING  CANAL  SYSTEMS  WTUCH  COVER  THE  COUNTY 


Owing  to  the  wonderful  fertility  of  the  overflowed  land,  reclamation  has  been 
carried  on  for  many  years  in  the  Sacramento  Valley  on  an  ever  increasing  scale. 
Up  to  a  few  years  ago  success  was  by  no  means  always  assured,  as  each  individual 
aimed  simply  to  protect  his  own  property  and  there  was  no  concerted  action  to 
provide  for  the  carrying  off  of  those  waters  which  were  excluded  from  the  lands. 
This  important  feature,  that  of  providing  an  outlet  for  the  flood  waters  of  the 
river  is  now  under  the  control  of  the  State  Reclamation  Board  and  the  California 
Debris  Commission,  which,  under  the  present  plan,  proposes  a  by-pass  over  two 
miles  in  width,  the  eastern  edge  of  which  will  be  about  three  or  four  miles  west 
of  the  river  itself.  This  new  artificial  river,  so  to  speak,  will  have  ample  capacity 
for  carrying  off'  all  surplus  waters  at  flood  time  of  the  river  and  its  tributaries. 
With  this  work  being  done  under  the  supervision  of  state  and  federal  authorities 
according  to  comprehensive  plans  reclamation  districts  have  been  organized  and 
the  work  is  now  done  at  a  minimum  of  cost  and  a  maximum  of  benefit.  Projects 
are  now  under  way  involving  as  high  as  30,000  acres  in  a  single  tract. 

The  cost  of  the  work  is  assessed  on  the  land  benefits  and  while  the  figure 
varies  somewhat  the  average  is  about  $100  per  acre,  with  many  instances  of  it 
having  been  done  for  less  than  half  that  amount. 

The  soil  of  these  lands  has  been  formed  largely  by  material  cfirricd  in 
suspension  by  the  flood  waters  of  the  Sacramento  River  and  deposited  for  iiumy 
years  past. 

Unroclaimed  land  sells  at  from  $25  to  $50  per  acre  and  reclaimed  huid  ;it 
from  $250  to  $500.  Truck  gardening,  orchards  and  hops  are  the  leading  crops  at 
present  produv-ed  on  lliis  hmd  which  is  ready  to  return  to  the  cultivator  the 
bounties  which  it  has  been  accuniiilatiuu'  for  ages. 

Alfalfa 
Where  irrigation   is   practiced   one  finds  alfalfa.     This  fine  forage   is   cut 
five,  six  and  seven  times  in  Yolo  County,  for  there  is  an  ample  water  suj)i)ly 

SOUVENIR    f(l9l'5)?    EDITION 


AFTER  KXHAUSTIVE  INVESTIGATION  OF   THE  VARIOUS  SITES  OFFERED,  THE  CTNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  SELECTED 

AND  CLIMATE  OF  THIS  COUNTY.      THE  PRESENCE  OF  THE  UNIVERSITY  FARM  0 

and  tlie  climate  ii>  the  ''growing"  kind  There  are  many  magnificent  stands 
of  alfalfa  throughout  the  county,  and  farmers,  heretofore  used  to  endless 
fields  of  grain,  now  are  adopting  alfalfa  on  smaller  acreage  and  making 
more  money  than  they  were  under  the  old  method. 

Whether  the  alfalfa  hay  is  sold  or  fed  to  stock  on  the  farm  it  is  a  big 
profit  maker.  Many  farmers  require  all  they  can  grow  for  their  own 
purposes. 

Dairying 

Dairying  in  Yolo  County  is  highly  profitable,  and  it  is  a  matter  of  pride 
to  the  residents  of  this  section  that  some  of  the  world's  prize  cows  are  found 
in  Yolo  County  dairies.  A.  \V.  ^lorris  &  Sons,  dairymen  and  breeders  of  thor- 
oughbred Holstein  catth\  have  established  several  world's  records  in  their  herd, 
including  the  first  and  third  cows  in  the  world  to  produce  over  28,000 
pounds  of  milk  in  a  year,  and  the  only  two  cows  in  the  world  that  have 
produced  in  excess  of  50,000  pounds  of  milk  in  two  successive  years. 

A  Yolo  County  cow,  owned  by  A.  W.  Morris  &  Sons,  in  November,  1914, 
established  a  new  world's  record.  This  cow,  Tilly  Alcartra,  closed  a  year's 
test  under  the  direction  of  an  expert  from  the  University  of  California  Farm 
School  Avith  the  most  remarkable  milk  yield  in  history.     The  dairy  world  has 


HOGS — A  SOURCE  OF  READY  AND  EASY  MONEY  IN  COXNECTIOX  WITH  THE  DAIRY  AND  ALFALFA  FIELD 


16 


SOUVENIR    s(  191 '5  if    EDITION 


^ini' 


3  COUNTY  FOR  THE  LOCATION  OF  THE  AGRICULTURAL  EXPERLMENTAL  FAIIM,  A  TRIBUTE  TO  THE  MATCHLESS  SOIL 
3  IMMEDIATE  AND  FIRST  HAND  AID  TO  THE  NEW  SETTLER  LN  YOLO  COUNTY 

been  striving  for  years  to  develop  a  cow  that  could  produce  ;3U,UUU  pounds 
of  milk.  Tilly  yielded  30,452.6  pounds  in  a  single  year.  Yolo  County  now 
holds  three  of  the  six  world-record  milk  cows. 

Another  of  the  herd  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  W'Orld's  greatest  milk 
producer,  having  given  134.7  pounds  of  milk  in  one  day  and  is  the  only  cow 
in  the  world  that  has  produced  !iOO  pounds  in  seven  days.  This  herd  contains 
about  250  head  of  registered  cows  and  heifers.  Of  these,  the  yearly  records 
of  fifteen  cows  show  an  average  production  of  721  pounds  of  butter  fat  and 
over  20,000  pounds  of  milk.  Forty  cows  have  completed  year  tests  averaging 
600  pounds  of  butter  fat,  and  less  than  half  of  these  have  reached  mature  age. 

This  gives  one  an  idea  of  wdiat  may  be  accomplished  by  a  dairyman. 
Nor  is  this  merely  an  isolated  case,  but  it  is  the  rule  in  Yolo  County  for 
farmers  to  breed  the  best  stock.  It  would  be  hard  to  find  anywhere  in 
California,  if  not  in  the  West,  better  herds  than  those  established  by  the 
BuUard  estate,  the  Gibsons,  the  Glides,  H.  P.  Eakle,  H.  G.  Armstrong,  A.  W. 
Morris,  H.  H.  Gable  and  others.  Durhams,  Ilolsteins,  Jerseys,  Herefords, 
Ayreshires,  Polled  Angus  and  the  Brown  Swiss  have  ardent  admirers. 

There  is  a  creamery  at  Woodland,  another  at  Winters  and  a  third  is 
operated  at  the  State  University  Farm  at  Davis,  which  i)aid  farmers  $50,000 
last  season.  Each  of  these  is  run  to  full  capacity,  and  considerable  milk  also 
is  shii)ped  to  other  points. 


•^gggsgr 


^:4 


^yi^  :<i7^'.:-->^  ^*>: 


YOLO  COUNTY  SHEEP  ARE  IN  DEMAND  ALL  0\ER  THE  COUNTRY  WHERE  PURE-BRED  FLOCKS  ARIC  RAISED 


17 


•■/, 


^    'k'iJ^'\ 


ALMONDS  AND  PRUNES  ARE  THE  FAVORITE  TREE  CROPS  ALTHOUGH  PEACHES,  APRICOTS,  PLUMS,  PEARS, 
FIGS,  WALNUTS  AND  OTHER  VARIETIES  ARE  GROWN  PROFITABLY 


18 


Hogs 

The  successful  farmer  of  today,  besides  raising  alfalfa  and  keeping  dairy 
cows,  also  finds  hogs  highly  profitable,  and  Yolo  farmers  are  sensible  in 
breeding  high-class  stock.  The  little  extra  care  shows  in  bonus  prices  at 
market.  Instead  of  raising  "just  pigs"  farmers  are  coming  to  understand 
the  scientific  way  of  feeding  to  produce  the  best  results. 

Fruit  Growing 

G.  H,  Hecke,  a  horticulturist  of  renown,  is  county  commissioner  of  horti- 
culture. He  declares  that  Yolo  County  has  in  abundance  the  three  funda- 
mental conditions  that  make  fruit  farming  profitable.  First,  the  climatic 
conditions  are  of  the  best.  Second,  fertile  soil  can  be  found  in  large  quantity, 
and  third,  the  proper  moisture  conditions  can  be  supplied.  As  elsewhere, 
care  and  discretion  must  be  exercised  in  the  selection  of  these  conditions, 
for  there  are  locations  where  all  of  these  three  necessities  cannot  be  found 
and  hence  would  not  be  suitable. 

While  virtually  all  commercial  fruits  are  grown  in  the  county,  there  are 
some  well  defined  districts  that  are  particularly  profitable  for  certain  fruits. 
Apricots,  figs,  peaches  and  almonds  are  favorites  along  the  foothills  of 
western  Yolo  from  AVinters  to  Rumsey.  Woodland  and  Davis  are  noted  for 
the  fine  quality  of  prunes,  almonds  and  seedless  raisins,  and  the  river  district  for 
the  excellent  quality  of  Bartlett  pears. 

The  following  is  taken  from  the  latest  orchard  census  of  the  county : 

Fruit                                          No.  Trees  Fruit                                            No.  Trees 

Almonds 292,700         Peaches 136,600 

Apricots 124,900         Prunes 93,800 

Plums 38,400         Pears 49,000 

Figs        11,900         Olives 15,028 

Walnuts 2,500  Oranges  and  Lemons    .     .       5,295 

The  acreage  planted  to  grapes  is  6,000  acres.  Apples  and  cherries  are 
grown  in  many  home  orchards  but  are  not  produced  on  a  commercial  scale. 

Yolo  is  one  of  the  leading  counties  for  the  production  of  almonds. 

Of  the  4,000  acres  planted  two-thirds  of  the  trees  are  in  bearing.  The 
leading  varieties  are  Nonpareil,  Ne  Plus  Ultra,  I  X  L.  Drake's  Seedling, 
Peerless  and  Texas  Prolific,  Woodland  and  Davis  districts  have  a  number 
of  splendid  bearing  orchards,  but  the  center  of  the  almond  production  is 
around  the  town  of  Esparto.  At  Guinda  and  Rumsey  the  almond  also  is 
growing  with  good  results  and  a  new  territory  from  IMadison  north  to 
Dunnigan  recently  is  opening  up  as  a  promising  field  for  tliis  culture.  The 
almond  exceeds  any  other  deciduous  fruit  and  is  being  extended  from  year 
to  year. 

The  foothill  districts  of  the  Coast  Range  are  well  adapted  to  the  growing 
of  peaches.  Winters  is  noted  for  the  quality  of  peaches,  whether  early 
varieties  for  shipping  to  the  East,  or  for  canning  or  drying.  Winters  is  one 
of  the  districts  in  California  from  which  the  earliest  shi|)m('nts  of  fresli 
fruits  are  made.  The  varieties  grown  are  the  St.  John,  AlcxaiKhM-,  H.-iIc's 
Early  and  Triumph,  all  for  early  shipping,  and  the  Crawfords,  Kihertns  and 
Muir  for  drying,  and  cling  varieties  for  canning.  Cai)ay  Valley  ranks  second 
in  the  total  production. 

The  AVinters  district  leads  in  the  i)roduclion  of  apricots,  both  as  to 
quality  and  quantity.  The  favorite  variety  is  the  Royal,  which  is  the  liest 
for  drying,  and  Winters  fpiality  is  the  unsurpassed  standard  by  which  other 
cured  apricots  are  judged.  Europe,  wliiidi  takes  the  bidk  of  the  crop, 
demands  the   "Winters"   brand.     The   Pi-ingle   variety   is   grown   for   early 

19 
SOUVENIR    7\\9\'JJ?    EDITION 


"^Cail'SisSi**"*-- 


THIS  PICTURE  SHOWS  THE  METHOD  OF  IRRIGATING  AN  ORCHARD.     THE  WATER  SUPPLY  COMES  FROM  IRRI- 
GATING  SYSTEMS  OR   WELLS 


shipment.  The  Capay  Valley  also  produces  a  fine  quality  of  fruit,  superior 
to  the  dried  products  of  the  lower  lands  of  the  county. 

The  Woodland  district,  located  in  the  rich  alluvial  soils  of  the  overflow 
of  Cache  Creek,  excels  in  the  quality  of  prunes.  The  Yolanda  orchard,  near 
Woodland,  is  one  of  the  finest  in  California,  the  prune  production  rivaling 
any  in  the  world.  The  variety  grown  is  called  the  French  prune,  which 
develops  into  a  large,  vigorous  tree,  with  abundant  foliage  and  good-sized 
fruit,  when  planted  on  good  soil.  Some  Imperials  are  grown  as  well  as 
some  sugar  prunes,  but  not  to  any  great  extent.  In  Guinda  township  are 
grown  superior  prunes. 

There  is  a  considerable  planting  of  pears,  mostly  on  the  rich  bottom 
lands  of  the  Sacramento  River,  and  some  at  Capay  and  Winters.  The  fruit 
is  an  excellent  shipper  in  both  localities,  and  also  is  in  great  demand  for 
canning.  The  lower  lands  offer  splendid  opportunities  for  further  extending 
this  profitable  product.  Pear  blight,  responsible  for  so  many  disappointments 
in  pear  culture,  is  kept  under  good  control  in  existing  orchards. 

Large  plantings  of  the  black  Mission  fig  are  found  in  a  strip  of  land 
between  AVinters  and  Citrona  and  good  returns  are  realized  year  after  year. 
The  trees  are  large  and  vigorous  and  bear  heavily.  In  the  AVoodland  district 
several  orchards  of  the  Calimyrna — the  imported  commercial  variety  of 
Asia  jMinor — have  been  planted  but  are  not  yet  in  bearing.  For  these 
Calimyrna  varieties  it  is  necessary  to  have  a  few  Capri  figs  and  fig  wasps 
for  pollenization.    The  market  price  for  these  dried  varieties  is  high. 

Fully  ninety  per  cent,  of  the  olives  in  the  county  are  of  the  Mission 
variety.  Other  varieties  are  Manzanillas  and  Sevillanos  for  pickling  and 
Nevad'illos  for  oil.  The  Mission  brings  excellent  prices  for  pickling.  Con- 
tracts are  made  for  periods  of  five  to  ten  years  at  figures  that  show  an 
excellent  financial  return.     The  olive,  when  planted  near  the  foothills,  has 


20 


SOUVENIR    fllQn)?    EDITION 


FRUIT  IS  S.VTELY  LEI'T  TO  DRY  I\  THE  SUMMER  SUX  WITHOUT  TEAR  OE  DAMAGE  FROM 
UNEXPECTED  SHOWERS 


the  advantage  of  ripening  earlier  than  in  localities  of  the  lower  valleys, 
where  ripening  is  later  and  the  danger  of  harm  by  early  frosts  is  greater. 

There  is  renewed  interest  being  manifested  in  Avalnuts,  since  new  blight- 
resisting  varieties  have  been  bred  and  tested  thorouglll3^  The  varieties 
planted  or  grafted  are  the  Mayette,  Franquette,  Wilson's  AVondcr,  Eureka 
and  Neff's  Prolific.     The  last  two  are  comparatively  blight-resistant. 

For  years  oranges  have  done  well  in  the  lower  valley,  indicating  tliat 
climatic  conditions  will  permit  planting  on  a  commercial  scale.  If  such 
results  are  obtained  in  the  Woodland  district,  it  is  safe,  for  commercial 
purposes,  to  choose  certain  higher  levels  of  the  valley  near  the  foothills, 
provided  suitable  soil  and  moisture  can  be  found.  In  fact,  existing  groves 
at  Rumsey  and  Esparto  demonstrate  the  commercial  cci'tainty  of  citrus 
culture.  So  far  the  fruit  is  not  produced  in  carload  (luanlilies,  hence  the 
shipping  expense  is  high  and  reduces  the  profits.  When  t)nce  a  sutficieiit 
acreage  is  planted  to  warrant  a  packing  house  and  shiinnent  of  carload  lots, 
then  citrus  culture  will  become  a  well  established  industry  in  Yolo. 

Grapes  are  found  largely  in  the  fertile  districts  surrounding  AVoodlaiid. 
A  little  more  than  half  of  this  acreage  is  devoted  to  wine  gi-apes,  the  balance 
to  raisin  and  table  grajx's.  The  seedless  raisin,  produced  and  known  to  the 
trade  as  AVoodland  Sultanas,  generally  is  oil-bleached  and  has  proved  uni- 
formly profitable.  New  vineyards,  when  located  ne;if  older  plantings,  should 
be  on  resistant  stock,  to  protect  against  phylloxera,  which  is  the  only  serious 
insect  pest  menacing  the  grape  vine,  hence  must  lie  guarded  against.  Vari- 
eties for  wine  making  are  the  old  Zinfandel,  Alicante  l'>onschct,  S(<rinc, 
Burger.  Raisin  varieties  are  Sultana,  Thomjison  Seedless,  .Musc;il  and 
Malaga. 

Apples  and  cherries  are  found  in  many  home  orchards  hut  are  not  grown 
on  a  commercial  scale. 

21 


1 


"':•'.. i'  % 


.ii^,4f*   r, 


k^ 


'--VaYm 


THE  HOP  CROP  OF  YOLO  COUNTY  BRINGS  IN  UPWARDS  OF  it)>500,000  ANNUALLY.     THE  CROP  IS  RAISED  NEAR 

THE  RIVER  LEVEL 


22 


Grain 

As  has  been  stated  previously  wheat  and  barley  acreage  exceeds  all 
others  in  Yolo  County.  Nearly  50,000  acres  are  in  barley,  and  the  produc- 
tion will  be  fully  1,250,000  l}usliels  a  season.  The  wheat  acreage  approx- 
imates 15,000  acres,  and  the  yield  will  average  250,000  bushels  a  season. 
This  does  not  include  grains  that  are  cut  green. 

Hops 

Hops  are  grown  along  the  river  and  the  industry  is  increasing  rapidly. 
The  crop  in  this  county  sells  for  about  $500,000.  The  industry  requires  a 
special  knowledge  but  pays  well  where  handled  intelligently. 

Rice 

Within  the  past  two  or  three  years  rice  culture  has  attracted  considerable 
attention  in  California.  It  is  estimated  that  there  are  now  some  ten  thousand 
acres  planted  to  rice,  most  of  this  acreage  being  in  the  Sacramento  Valley. 
Rice  will  grow  only  in  low  land  which  can  be  easily  irrigated  and  draim-d. 
The  remarkable  increase  in  acreage  within  the  past  tAvo  years,  together 
with  the  great  increase  in  rice  production,  indicates  that  this  new  branch  of 
agriculture  will  prove  highly  profitable  to  the  California  farmer. 

There  are  a  number  of  rice  farms  in  Yolo  County  which  are  demon- 
strating the  practicability  of  the  industry  in  this  county.  The  river  bottom 
lands  are  most  adaptable  to  rice  culture. 

Live  Stock 

Yolo  County  was  awarded  more  prizes  at  the  1913  and  1914  State  Fair 
in  the  live  stock  division  than  any  other  county  of  the  State. 

A  Yolo  County  hog  won  the  sweepstakes  prize.  A  race-horse  bred  in 
Yolo  broke  the  Pacific  Coast  record  on  a  Yolo  County  race-track.  Yolo 
County  has  the  best  cows  in  the  world.  Yolo  sheep  are  sent  all  over  the 
world  for  breeding  purposes.  Prize  boars  and  rams  have  been  purchased 
by  farmers  and  cattlemen  in  many  states. 

Yolo  County  was  made  famous  among  the  breeders  of  the  world  for  the 
wonderful  thoroughbred  horses  bred  by  the  late  Edward  Corrigan  and  the 
late  John  W.  Mackay,  both  of  whom  maintained  high-class  breeding  farms 
in  this  county.  Woodland 

"Woodland,  the  county-seat,  is  situated  on  the  Cache  Creek  delta,  in  the 
center  of  the  county.  It  is  one  of  the  most  progressive  cities  in  California, 
and  its  clean,  well  paved  streets  are  lined  with  magnificent  residences  and 
fine  business  blocks. 

The  municipal  government  is  model,  the  city  owning  its  own  water  woi-ks 
and  having  a  splendid  sewer  system.  There  are  ample  facilities  for  illuuii- 
nation,  heat  and  power.  The  fire  department  is  well  organized  ami 
equipped. 

Among  its  industries  are  one  of  the  best  flour  mills  in  the  State,  an  oVwr 
oil  and  pickling  plant,  and  a  creamery,  which  last  season  distributed  more 
than  $100,000  among  dairymen  in  the  district. 

There  are  fine  schools,  among  them  a  $100,000  high  school.  TIicit  is 
also  a  private  academy  of  state-wide  reputation. 

There  is  a  free  public  library,  containing  many  thousand   books. 

All  religious  denominations  are  well  represented,  many  ol'  Itii'in  li;i\ing 
fine  substantial  churches. 

The  surrounding  country  is  a  rich  farming  cominuiiit y.  ami  aiii-jcnlt  ure 
and  horticulture  ai'e  the  i)rincipal   sources  of  the  wealth   of   Woodland. 

The  town  enjoys  excellent  rail  facilities,  the  Southern  Pacilic  operating 
its  main  northern  line  through  it,  and  the  Northern  HIectrie  running  its 
electric  trains  to  Sacramento  and  Valley  points. 

23 
SOUVENIR    |{  191 '7)1    EDITION 


.... : ■■ ' — — '--~vtas 

A  FAMILIAR  SCENE  IN  YOLO  COUNTY  IS  A  TRAIN  OF  WAGONS  HAULED  BY  TRACTION  ENGINES.      THE  HIGH- 
WAY  AND   BRIDGE   FACILITIES   ARE   EXCELLENT 


24 


l4  '         \ 

THESE   BriLDIN(;S,   A    DANK,   (OTNTKN    S(  IKXH,   AM)   ClirKCH,    Akl     HI  I'K  1  SENTATIVE  OF  THE  PUBLIC  AND 

BUbXXKSS   PKOrKKTIKS    OF   THE   COLMV 


25 


EVIDENCES  OF  PROSPERITY  ON  THE  FARM.     EVERYWHERE  IN  YOLO  COUNTY  IS  FOUND  THE  COMFORTABLE 

HOSPITABLE  HOME 


26 


Winters 

Winters  is  situated  twenty  miles  southwest  of  Woodland  and  is  the 
second  largest  town  in  the  county.  It  is  situated  at  the  base  of  picturesque 
hills,  and  is  in  the  very  center  of  Putah  Creek  delta  lands. 

Winters  is  noted  for  its  early  fruits  and  vegetables,  which  are  shipped 
everywhere.  Winters  apricots  are  famous  the  world  over,  the  name 
"Winters"  being  regarded  as  a  standard  in  European  countries.  Yearly, 
in  May,  the  little  city  holds  an  Apricot  Annual,  in  celebration  of  the  first 
ripening  of  this  fruit. 

The  fruit  belt  comprises  about  10,000  acres  of  foothill  land  and  the  inter- 
vening vall-eys  along  the  eastern  base  of  the  Coast  Range,  and  also  about 
40,000  acres  of  deep  alluvial  soil  located  along  Putah  Creek. 

AVinters  is  a  progressive  little  city,  the  business  blocks  being  of  a  high 
standard. 

There  are  good  schools,  including  an  excellent  high  school.  There  are 
several  churches,  and  many  beautiful  homes. 

Winters  is  on  a  branch  line  of  the  Southern  Pacific. 

Guinda  and  Rumsey 

Guinda  and  Rumsey  are  located  near  the  head  of  the  Capay  Valley,  one 
of  the  most  striking  and  picturesque  features  of  the  county.  The  valley  is 
twenty  miles  long  and  varies  from  one  to  four  miles  in  width. 

To  the  north  the  Coast  Range  forms  a  picturesque  gorge  through  which 
flows  Cache  Creek,  the  outlet  of  Clear  Lake,  and  which  traverses  the  entire 
length  of  the  valley.  In  this  vicinity  the  soil  is  a  fine  sandy  loam,  ideal  for 
all  fruit  and  alfalfa.  It  is  shielded  from  cold  winds  and  frosts,  and  there- 
fore is  peculiarly  adapted  for  early  fruits  and  vegetables,  which  are  shipped 
over  the  branch  Southern  Pacific  line  in  large  quantities. 

Capay 

Capay  is  situated  where  Capay  Valley  opens  into  the  great  Sacramento 
Valley,  on  the  branch  Southern  Pacific  line. 

From  here  are  shipped  large  quantities  of  stock,  wheat  and  barley. 
Many  orchards  and  vineyards  are  in  bearing  hereabout. 

Esparto 

Esparto  is  three  miles  from  the  entrance  to  Capay  Valley,  and  also  is  on 
the  branch  line  of  the  Southern  Pacific. 

This  section  is  especially  adapted  to  almonds,  grapes,  apricots,  prunes 
and  grain,  all  of  Avhieh  are  shipped  in  large  quantities. 

There  is  a  good  grammar  school  and  a  fine  high  school  at  Esparto. 

Madison 

Madison  is  twelve  miles  due  west  of  Woodland.  It  is  served  by  the 
Southern  Pacific,  and  the  surrounding  country  rapidly  is  being  devoted  to 
alfalfa  growing  and  fruit,  and  there  is  still  a  very  large  acreage  of  grain 

^''"^^-  Davis 

Davis  is  located  on  Putah  Creek,  thirteen  miles  west  of  Sacramento  and 
eight  miles  from  Woodland.  It  is  a  railroad  junction  and  enjo^'s  excellent 
transportation  facilities.  All  Southern  Pacific  trains  stop  here,  the  main 
transcontinental  line  turning  toward  Sacramento  and  the  East,  Avhile  the 
main  line  to  the  north  runs  to  Oregon  by  way  of  Woodland. 

The  farm  operated  in  conjunction  with  tlie  Agricultural  De|)artment  of 
the  University  of  California  is  situated  at  Davis,  the  site  having  been  chosen 
after  consideration  of  soil  and  climatic  conditions  in  a  hundred  sections  of 
California. 

SOUVENIR 


28 


THE   YOLO   COUNTY   FARMER   BELIEVES   IN   NO   HALF-WAY   BUSINESS    IX   HIS   HIGHWAYS. 

AND    ARE    THE   BEST 


THEY   MUST   BE 


Davis  has  good  schools,  churches,  and  all  elements  that  go  to  develop  a 
thriving  community. 

The  farming  section  is  of  the  very  best  soil,  being  especially  adapted  to 
almonds,  fruits  of  all  kinds  and  alfalfa.  There  is  considerable  dairying  in 
the  section,  the  product  being  purchased  by  the  State  Farm,  where  a 
creamery  is  operated. 

Dunnigan  and   Zamora 

Dunnigan  and  Zamora  are  railroad  toAvns  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
county.  They  are  centers  of  large  grain,  hay  and  grape  districts,  and  are 
important  shipping  points. 

There  is  considerable  subdivision  being  done  in  these  localities,  which  is 
proving  of  great  benefit  to  both  places. 

Yolo 

Yolo,  in  the  early  days  the  county-seat  of  Yolo  County,  is  a  flourishing 
village  on  Cache  Creek,  on  the  line  of  the  SoutluM-n  racific  and  in  the  heart 
of  a  great  fruit  district. 

The  Yolo  orchard,  one  of  the  largest  in  tlie  woi-hl,  is  located  here. 

There  has  been  a  considerable  development  in  the  district  I)y  reason  of 
large  acreages  having  been  cut  n\)  and  sold  to  fanners  who  arc  farming 
them  intensively.  There  is  considerable  dairying,  many  alfalfa  liclds  and 
orchards  where,  only  a  few  years  ago,  were  great  tracts  given  over 
exclusively  to  grains. 

Knights  Landing 

Knights  Landing  is  the  most  northerly  river  town  in  the  county.  Tn 
the  early  days,  prior  to  and  during  the  territorial  era  of  California,  it  was 
one  of  the  famous  towns  of  the  Sacramento  Valley.     It  is  on  the  Oroville- 

SOUVENIR    7{|9l'5)f    EDITION 


pi 

li  i 


RAISING  GEJiEX  CORX  FOR  ENSILAGE  HAS  BECOME  POPULAR  AMONG  THE  DAIRYMEN  OF  THE  COUNTY 


"Woodland  branch  railroad  as  well  as  on  the  Sacramento  River  and  therefore 
enjoys  excellent  transportation  facilities. 

In  this  section  irrigation  and  reclamation  projects  are  being  developed, 
opening  up  vast  tracts  of  virgin  soil. 

Clarksburg 

Clarksburg,  on  the  Sacramento  River,  is  in  the  extreme  southeastern 
portion  of  the  county  and  is  an  important  shipping  point.  It  is  the  center 
of  one  of  the  most  comprehensive  reclamation  systems  in  the  State,  the  soil 
is  rich  and  inexhaustible  and  the  products  varied. 

Washington  and  Riverbank 

Washington  and  Riverbank,  on  the  river  just  opposite  Sacramento,  are 
thriving  towns,  with  good  schools,  churches,  etc.,  and  are  adjacent  to  the 
great  AVest  Sacramento  and  River  Garden  Farms  reclamation  districts. 

Banks 

Yolo  County  justly  is  proud  of  its  banking  institutions,  of  which  there 
are  nine  in  the  county  with  a  combined  capital  and  surplus  of  $2,697,375  and 
deposits  aggregating  $4,161,155.35.  These  banks  were  organized  and  are  officered 
by  Yolo  County  men,  and  the  capital  invested  in  them  and  the  money  on  deposit 
were  earned  in  this  county. 

Social  Life 

The  social  life  of  Yolo  County  is  ideal.  Not  only  are  all  the  religious 
denominations  represented  but  the  principal  fraternal  orders  have  local 
lodges  in  all  towns  and  cities. 

Another  attractive  feature  is  the  almost  total  absence  of  saloons.  Liquor 
is  not  sold  in  Woodland,  Winters,  Davis,  Esparto,  and  other  sections  of  the 
county. 


30 


.#%& 


SOUVENIR 


fllQn  J^    EDITION 


THE   YOLO   COUNTY  FARMER'S   SILO   DIFFERS   LITTLE   FROM   THAT  OF  HIS  EASTERN   COUSIN 


A  Final  Word 

Facts  have  been  set  down  in  this  booklet,  and  the  Yolo  Connty  Board  of 
Trade — an  official  organization  the  sole  object  of  which  is  to  bring  settlers 
to  the  county — stands  ready  to  substantiate  every  statement  contained  herein. 

Yolo  County  needs  farmers — persons  who  know  and  practice  the  science 
of  intensive  farming.  There  is  room  for  thousands  of  them.  Any  and 
every  section  of  the  county  wants  settlers,  and  they  will  find  without  excep- 
tion unparalleled  conditions  for  fruit  growing,  dairying,  alfalfa,  nuts,  grains, 
live  stock,  small  berries  and  fruits,  in  fact,  every  kind  and  character  of 
crop  that  may  be  grown  in  the  temperate  and  sub-tropic  zones. 

Yolo  County  is  close  to  markets  having  a  permanent  population  of  a 
million  and  a  half  persons,  a  number  that  is  certain  to  be  increased  very 
materially  within  the  next  twelvemonth.  There  never  is  the  slightest  fear 
of  over-production  of  anything  grown  in  California,  for  the  wliole  Avorld  is 
our  market  place,  especially  for  citrus  and  deciduous  and  dried  fruits. 

Yolo  County  soil  cannot  be  excelled.  This  has  been  proved  by  the 
selection  of  Yolo  County  for  the  location  of  the  State  Farm.  This  was  done 
in  competition  with  other  sections  of  California.  It  would  be  useless^  to 
attempt  to  fix  the  price  of  lands  in  a  publication  of  this  character.  Prices 
of  available  and  desirable  land  vary  according  to  location.  But  this 
much  is  certain:  The  best  land  is  always  high  priced.  Another  thing  is 
certain  and  that  is  that  almost  any  acreage  in  Yolo  County,  intelligently 
farmed,  will  yield  a  handsome  return  on  the  money  invested.  By  incpiiry 
and  investigation  a  prospective  purelmser  may  be  guided  to  a  location  wliicli 
will  be  suited  to  his  purpose.  As  anywhere  else,  a  person  must  rely  upon 
his  .judgment  and  the  best  experience  of  the  community.  Fai-ming  is  not  a 
haphazard  undertaking.     Tt  requires  brains  to  be  a  successful   farmer. 

Yolo  County  climate  is  without  rival.  At  no  time  is  it  extremely  cold 
and  never  excessively  hot.     "Winter"  means  merely  the  rainy  season,  and 

SOUVENIR    f(j9l'5)f    EDITION 


\     i^!' 

h'^:'--: 


A  PROLIFIC  YIELD  OF  GRAIN  HAY.      THE  GRAIN  AND  HAY  CRUP  IN  YOLO  AMOUNTS  TO  MORE  THAN 

$3,500,000    ANNUALLY 

the  average  annual  rainfall  is  eighteen  inches.  Summer  is  hot  but  not 
oppressive.  The  atmosphere  is  dry.  At  night  cooling  breezes  are  wafted 
up  the  valley  and  across  the  Coast  Range  from  the  San  Francisco  Bay  and 
the  Pacific  Ocean.  It  is  the  unusual  climate  of  Yolo  that  ripens  some  of 
the  first  fruits  shipped  from  California  to  the  markets  of  the  East.  From 
end  to  end  Yolo  County  is  covered  with  blossoming  trees  at  a  time  when 
the  East  is  covered  with  snow. 

Yolo  County  has  the  added  advantage  of  inexhaustible  water  supplies — 
the  Sacramento  River  washing  its  shores  for  ninety  miles  as  it  rushes  on  to 
the  sea,  Cache  and  Putah  creeks,  which  race  down  from  the  mountains,  and 
diversion  canals  which  are  always  filled  with  water  when  it  is  needed  for 
irrigating  purposes.  In  addition  to  this  there  is  a  subterranean  supply  that 
may  be  tapped  at  comparatively  shallow  depth,  and  right  at  hand  is  a 
high-tension  electric  power  line  ready  to  be  connected  with  a  motor  for 
pumping  purposes. 

With  soil,  climate,  water,  transportation,  higliways,  schools — everything 
that  civilization  has  to  offer — in  its  favor,  Yolo  County  unhesitatingly 
extends  an  invitation  to  all  persons  to  come  here  on  a  visit.  One  who  is 
seeking  a  home  surely  will  make  permanent  his  stay  in  this  beautiful 
section  of  glorious  California ! 

A  reader  anxious  to  ascertain  additional  facts  about  any  community  or 
condition  will  be  served  promptly  and  properly  if  an  inquiry  be  addressed  to 

H.  S.  MADDOX,   Secretary, 

Yolo  County  Board  of  Trade  and  Panama-Pacific  International 
Exposition  Commission,  Woodland,  Yolo  County,  California. 


32 


SOUVENIR    f(l9l'5)?    EDITION 


This  map  shows  the  relative  position  of  Yolo  County  to  central  California.     Note  the  distance  from  Yolo 
to   San   Francisco   and   the   bay   cities,    the    nearness   of   Sacramento,    the    State   capital,    the    transportation 

facilities,  both  river  and  rail 


wmem 


ISS 


V@[L@ 


:^yF@[^iK]D 


■  ......J^ -naj.l.inpi 


uii^ikaiflirx  an  oajuu*  .. 


Almonds  as  they  appear  while  green.    Almonds,  limited  by-ctoiatic  demands  to 
a  small  area  in  the  United  States,  are  one  of  Yolo  Coimty*^mg  profitable  crops 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


AA    001  161  644   8 


